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Hero Sinfield inspires Leicester's next England generation
By Chris Jones
England centre Dan Kelly is taking inspiration from Leicester defence coach Kevin Sinfield, describing the rugby league great as having the “heart of a Lion” and is constantly asking him for advice.
Kelly, who is still only 20, made his debut for England in the summer victory over Canada, and admits he is a regular visitor to Sinfield’s office at the Leicester training ground to question the rugby league legend who spent the club’s Premiership bye week running 101 miles in 24 hours to raise money to support his former Leeds team mate Rob Burrow who is battling MND.
Kelly, who will face reigning champions Harlequins on Sunday, and the rest of the Leicester club are in awe of Sinfield’s mental and physical strength and the centre said: “I have taken so much from Kev in the four or five months he has been with us and the list of things would be so long.
"We all play for him in defence and it’s massive to have him in the meeting each day with the respect we have for what he does off the pitch for his mates and his career and everything he has achieved in his life.
“You want to go and tackle for the bloke and to come in and see the smile in his face when you have had a good defensive performance. He played rugby league how I want to play union in that he could pass, kick and go through the line and put people away and he had the heart of a Lion.
"He would tackle anything and he has all the tips and the little details that for a 20-year-old will only push me on. I am being a sponge and he is getting sick of me asking him questions and he does say that because I am coming into his office every two minutes. He has been an awesome addition to the team.”
Kelly shares a house with full back Freddie Steward who has been outstanding having broken into the Leicester and England team, making the No15 jersey his own at club and international level.
“Freddie is smashing it:" added Kelly. “He has got safe hands but can’t play golf! He hasn’t dropped anything ever and as long as he keeps doing that it will keep a smile on my face. I don’t know what South Africa were thinking kicking the ball to the best in the world under the high ball. He is grounded and so humble and the sky is the limit for that kid.”
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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